HPCC CHPN Handbook June 2024

®

The Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center

400 Lydia Street, Suite 103, Carnegie, PA 15106
412.787.1057 | advancingexpertcare.org/hpcc
The Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC) provides specialty certification examinations for health
care professionals: advanced practice registered nurses, registered nurses, pediatric registered nurses, licensed
practical/vocational nurses, nursing assistants, and social workers. Information regarding the hospice and
palliative registered nurse examination, testing policies and procedures and an application form can be found
in this Candidate Handbook. Candidate Handbooks for other HPCC certification examinations are also available.
HPCC certification exams are computer-based and offered at PSI Test Center locations and by live remote
proctoring. Deadlines are firm and strictly enforced.
All inquiries regarding the certification program should be addressed to HPCC.
HPCC
400 Lydia Street, Suite 103
Carnegie, PA 15106
Telephone: 412-787-1057
Fax: 412-787-9305
Email: [email protected]
Website: advancingexpertcare.org/certification
PSI is the professional testing company contracted by HPCC to assist in the development, administration, scoring
and analysis of the HPCC certification examinations.
All inquiries regarding the application process, test administration and the reporting of scores should be
addressed to PSI.
PSI
18000 W. 105th St.
Olathe, KS 66061-7543
Telephone: (Toll free) 833-256-1422
Fax: 913-895-4650
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://test-takers.psiexams.com/hpcc
Your signature on the application certifies that you have read all portions of this Candidate Handbook and
application.
HPCC MISSION STATEMENT

HPCC is the premier national credentialing organization that advances
expert care in serious illness through state-of-the-art certification
of continuing competency in hospice and palliative care.
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CHPN® Computer Based Examination i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Recognition of Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
About the HPCC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Renewal of Certification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Statement of Non-Discrimination Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Ethical Code. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Certification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Misuse of Certification Credentials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Testing Agency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Grounds for Disciplinary Action. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
HPCC Processing Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Revocation of Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Examination Administration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Questions and Appeals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Live Remote Proctoring (LRP). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Re-Examination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Examination Windows and Application Deadlines. . . . . . . . . . . 2 Retest Assured Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Test Center Locations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Applying for an Examination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
SECTION 2: CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION FOR
Examination Appointment Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE REGISTERED NURSES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Requests for Special Examination Accommodations. . . . . . . . . 3 Accreditation of the Certification Examination . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
HPNA, NHPCO, SWHPN Membership Benefit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Examination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Forfeiture of Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Definition of Hospice and Palliative Care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Audits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Eligibility Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Transfers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Examination Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Refunds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Renewal or Reactivation of Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
On the Day of Your Examination (Test Center). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Renewal/Reactivation Fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
On the Day of Your Examination (Live Remote Proctoring). . . 4 Receipts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Examination Content. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Personal Belongings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Detailed Content Outline Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Examination Restrictions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Drug Names. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Examination Restrictions - LRP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Detailed Content Outline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Misconduct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Task Statements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Copyrighted Examination Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Sample Questions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Practice Examination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Suggested References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Timed Examination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2024 HPCC RETEST ASSURED EXAMINATION REGISTRATION. . 17
Candidate Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Inclement Weather, Emergency, or Technical Problems. . . . . . 6 TRANSFER OF APPLICATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Report of Results. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 REQUEST FOR SPECIAL EXAMINATION
Duplicate Score Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 ACCOMMODATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Confidentiality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 DOCUMENTATION OF DISABILITY-RELATED NEEDS. . . . . . . . . . . 24
Copyright © 2023. Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy or recording, or any information and retrieval
system, without permission in writing from the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC).
Revised 03/2024
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CHPN® Computer Based Examination 1
SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION
ABOUT THE HPCC 3. Establishing and measuring the level of knowledge required
for certification in hospice and palliative care.
The Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC) was
incorporated in 1993 as the National Board for Certification of 4. Providing a national standard of requisite knowledge
Hospice Nurses (NBCHN) to develop a program of certification required for certification; thereby assisting the employer,
for the specialty practice of hospice and palliative nursing. The public and members of the health professions in the
HPCC has been affiliated with the Hospice Nurses Association assessment of hospice and palliative care.
(HNA), now Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA),
since its inception. The first certification examination for Hospice TESTING AGENCY
Nurses was given in 1994, and in 1998, initial certificants were PSI Services is the professional testing agency contracted by
required to renew their credential for the first time. HPCC the HPCC to assist in the development, administration, scoring
has expanded its mission and now provides specialty Exams and analysis of the HPCC certification examinations. PSI services
for several members of the interdisciplinary team: advanced also include the processing of examination applications and the
practice registered nurses, registered nurses, pediatric registered reporting of scores to candidates who take the examinations.
nurses, licensed practical/vocational nurses, nursing assistants, PSI is a leader in the testing industry, offering certification,
and social workers. Currently there are nearly 15,000 individuals licensing, talent assessment and academic solutions worldwide.
certified by HPCC.
The HPCC Board of Directors is a competency-based Board HPCC PROCESSING AGREEMENT
that oversees all aspects of the certification program. The HPCC agrees to process your application subject to your
composition of the Board includes certified representatives agreement to the following terms and conditions:
from HPCC certification programs and may include a
1. To be bound by and comply with HPCC rules relating to
certified nurse in a nursing specialty other than hospice and
eligibility, certification, renewal and recertification, including,
palliative care, and a public Board member. HPCC has the
but not limited to, payment of applicable fees, demonstration
responsibility for development, administration and maintenance
of educational and experiential requirements, satisfaction
of the examinations in conjunction with a testing agency, PSI.
of annual maintenance and recertification requirements,
compliance with the HPCC Grounds for Sanctions and other
STATEMENT OF standards, and compliance with all HPCC documentation
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY and reporting requirements, as may be revised from time to
time.
The HPCC does not discriminate among applicants on the basis
of age, gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, 2. To hold HPCC harmless and to waive, release and exonerate
disability, sexual orientation or marital status. HPCC, its officers, directors, employees, committee members,
and agents from any claims that you may have against HPCC
arising out of HPCC’s review of your application, or eligibility
CERTIFICATION for certification, renewal, recertification or reinstatement,
The HPCC endorses the concept of voluntary, periodic conduct of the examination, or issuance of a sanction or
certification for all hospice and palliative advanced practice other decision.
registered nurses, registered nurses, pediatric registered nurses, 3. To authorize HPCC to publish and/or release your certification
licensed practical/vocational nurses, nursing assistants and status and any final or pending disciplinary decisions to state
social workers. It focuses specifically on the individual and is licensing boards or agencies, other healthcare organizations,
an indication of current competence in a specialized area of professional associations, employers or the public.
practice. Certification in hospice and palliative care is highly
valued and provides formal recognition of competence. 4. To only provide information in your application to HPCC that
is true and accurate to the best of your knowledge. You agree
The purpose of certification is to promote delivery of comprehensive to denial of eligibility, revocation or other limitation of your
hospice and palliative care through the certification of qualified certification, if granted, should any statement made on this
hospice and palliative professionals by: application or hereafter supplied to HPCC is found to be false
1. Recognizing formally those individuals who meet the or inaccurate or if you violate any of the standards, rules or
eligibility requirements for and pass an HPCC certification regulations of HPCC.
examination or complete the recertification process.
2. Encouraging continuing personal and professional growth in
the practice of hospice and palliative care.
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EXAMINATION ADMINISTRATION will be required to complete a transfer application and pay a

$100 transfer fee to move to the next window.
The HPCC Examination is delivered by computer at approximately
500 PSI Test Centers geographically located throughout the TEST CENTER LOCATIONS
United States and by live remote proctoring. The examination
A current listing of approximately 500 Test Centers with specific
is administered by appointment only Monday through
address information can be viewed at https://test-takers.psiexams.
Friday. Appointment starting times may vary by location and
com/hpcc. From this page, click Check for Available Dates, then
the availability of a remote proctor. Evening and Saturday
select the exam you wish to register from and click Continue. On
appointments may be scheduled based on availability. Candidates
the next screen it will allow you to see the test center locations.
are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. The examination
is not offered on holidays during the four offered windows –
Labor Day and the Christmas Holiday (December 24-26). APPLYING FOR AN EXAMINATION
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
LIVE REMOTE PROCTORING (LRP) Candidates may access the application process through the
HPCC offers candidates the option to take an examination HPCC at https://www.advancingexpertcare.org/hpcc. PAPER
APER
through live remote proctoring, effective September 1, 2022. AND FAXED APPLICATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.
LRP is a secure way for a candidate to take an examination
1. Online Application and Scheduling: You may complete
outside of a test center utilizing technology to connect with
the application and scheduling process in one online
a live professional proctor. All exam windows and application
session by visiting https://www.advancingexpertcare.org/
deadlines remain the same for exams administered at a
hpcc.The computer screens will guide you through the
testing center or via live remote proctoring. For additional
application/scheduling process. After the application infor-
information and specifications for LRP, visit https://www.
mation has been submitted, eligibility will be confirmed
advancingexpertcare.org/hpcc/live-remote-proctoring.
or denied. If additional eligibility information is needed,
EXAMINATION WINDOWS AND you will be notified via email. When eligible you will be
prompted to enter payment information using a credit card
APPLICATION DEADLINES (VISA, Master Card, AMEX, Discover) or PayPal and schedule
Applications that are received before the application “Start an examination appointment at a test center, or for live
Date” or after the application “Deadlines” as posted below will remote proctoring.
be returned to the applicant unprocessed. 2. Please click here for complete exam application instructions.
Applications are processed for the corresponding testing If eligibility cannot be confirmed, notification why the
window ONLY as indicated in the chart below. application is incomplete will be sent.
If a confirmation of eligibility notice is not received within 4
TESTING Application Online Application
WINDOW Start Date Deadline weeks, contact PSI at 833-256-1422.
March 1 – March If you contact PSI by 3:00 p.m. Your examination may be
December 1 February 15
31 Central Time on … scheduled as early as …
June 1 – Monday Wednesday
March 1 May 15
June 30 Tuesday Thursday
September 1 – Wednesday Friday (Saturday if available)
June 1 August 15
September 30 Thursday Monday
December 1 – Friday Tuesday
September 1 November 15
December 31
Be prepared to confirm a location or live remote proctored and a
To apply for an HPCC examination, complete the application preferred date and time for testing. You will be asked to provide
online. All applications must be RECEIVED at PSI by the your unique identification number that was provided on your
application deadline. confirmation notice. When you call to schedule an appointment
Incomplete applications will result in a delay of an applicant’s for examination, you will be notified of the time to report to the
eligibility to test. PSI & HPCC make every effort to notify Test Center or to sign-on for your live remote exam. Please make
candidates of missing or incomplete documents. a note of it because you will NOT receive an admission letter
with appointment confirmation. If an email address is provided
Documents not received prior to the opening of the current you will be sent an email confirmation notice.
testing window, will decrease the time frame available to the
candidate to test in that window. If a candidate does not submit You are allowed to take only the examination scheduled.
the required documents for the selected testing window, they Unscheduled candidates (walk-ins) are not tested.
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EXAMINATION APPOINTMENT Documentation of Disability-Related Needs form (which must

be completed by an appropriate licensed professional) with
CHANGES your online request. Candidates with questions regarding exam
You may change your test center exam to an LRP exam or accommodations may call PSI at 800-367-1565 ext. 6750.
change your LRP exam to a test center exam. There is not
a limit to the number of times a candidate can switch their HPNA, NHPCO, SWHPN
testing mode between LRP and a Test Center as long as these MEMBERSHIP BENEFIT
changes are made within the greater than 24 hours prior to the Persons applying for a certification Exam who are current HPNA,
exam time frame we have laid out in the handbook. You may NHPCO, or SWHPN members PRIOR to applying for the HPCC
reschedule an appointment for examination at no charge by Exam are entitled to the member discounted examination fee
calling PSI at 833-256-1422 or rescheduling online at https://test- as a membership benefit.
takers.psiexams.com/hpcc greater than 24 business hours prior
to the scheduled examination session. Appointments MUST be If applying for HPNA membership, the membership benefit
rescheduled within the SAME TESTING WINDOW. must be obtained at least two business days before applying for
a certification Exam. See “Exam Fees” section for the applicable
A candidate may change the testing date and time as many Exam.
times as needed if it is within the testing window AND at least
24 hours before the scheduled exam. (I.e., A candidate has a Members of the Social Work Hospice and Palliative Care Network
test time for LRP at 10:00 AM on 06/04. On 06/02 the candidate (SWHPN), and National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
changes the LRP test appointment to 06/20 at 2 PM. On 06/15 (NHPCO) are eligible to receive member pricing for the APHSW-C
the candidate decides to take the exam at a test site, the certification exam. If you are member of one of these partnering
candidate is permitted to change the test appointment again. organizations, please utilize the following directions to secure
member pricing within the APHSW-C online application.
A candidate may NOT change the test from a June window to a
September window without cancelling the exam (if scheduled), Members of SWHPN: Please email SWHPN at [email protected]
completing the transfer request form and submitting a $100 for the appropriate discount code to enter within the Cart Area
transfer fee. If a candidate misses the exam, the candidate of the online exam application.
contacts PSI and requests an extension. PSI contacts HPCC and Members of NHPCO: Please utilize the following link: https://
HPCC decides if the candidate can retest in the next window www.nhpco.org/sw-exam/ to log into the NHPCO website and
with or without a fee.) obtain the corresponding discount code to enter within the Cart
Area of the online application.
You must contact PSI to reschedule the
If your Examination is Members of HPNA: Member pricing is automatically confirmed
Examination by 3:00 p.m.
scheduled on … via membership number/candidate ID and calculated within the
Central Time by the previous ...
Monday Saturday online application.
Tuesday Sunday Please note: Special pricing codes and numbers are only valid
for the APHSW-C certification program and not redeemable for
Wednesday Monday
other HPCC certifications. Additionally, special pricing cannot
Thursday Tuesday be combined with other membership related pricing offers. All
Friday Wednesday special pricing is subject to administrative review.
Saturday Thursday
Sunday Friday FORFEITURE OF FEE
A candidate who:
1. fails to cancel an examination greater than 24 hours prior to
REQUESTS FOR SPECIAL the scheduled testing session;
EXAMINATION ACCOMMODATIONS 2. fails to report for an examination appointment;
The HPCC and PSI comply with the Americans with Disabilities 3. arrives less than 15 minutes BEFORE the examination
Act (ADA) and are committed to ensuring that individuals with appointment start time;
disabilities or impairments are not deprived of the opportunity 4. fails to provide proper identification that matches your
to take the examination solely by reason of a disability or eligibility email at the Test Center or LRP; or
impairment, as required and defined by the relevant provisions 5. fails to submit required audit documentation if selected for
of the law. Special testing arrangements will be considered audit
for these individuals, provided that an appropriate written 6. fails to pass LRP system requirements
application request for accommodation is received by PSI by 7. fails to submit a transfer request for a missed exam within
the application deadline and the request is approved. Please 30 days after the test window closes.
complete the online form at https://psi-cdexp.zendesk.com/hc/ will forfeit the examination fee and must reapply for the
en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=360000150872. Attach the examination by submitting a new application, documentation
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and full examination fee, or request a transfer as outlined in the and include your photograph. You will also be required to sign a
Transfers section below. roster for verification of identity. No temporary IDs are allowed.
AUDITS Examples of valid primary forms of identification are:

To ensure the integrity of eligibility requirements, HPCC will 1. Driver’s license with photograph
audit a percentage of randomly selected applications each 2. State identification card with photograph
year. Candidates whose applications are selected for audit will 3. Passport with photograph
be notified and required to provide documentation of their 4. Military identification card with photograph
academic transcript, professional license (if applicable) and
5. Green card
verification of practice hours.
6. Alien registration
The audit letter from PSI will indicate the date the documentation
7. Permanent resident card
must be received. You will be notified by PSI when the audit
is approved and you are eligible to schedule the exam. This 8. National identification card
process can take three weeks or longer. Employment ID cards, student ID cards, social security cards
and any type of temporary identification are NOT acceptable
TRANSFERS as primary identification, but may be used as secondary
Candidates who, for any reason, are unable to sit for the identification if they include your name and signature.
examination in the window for which they applied AND canceled Candidates are prohibited from misrepresenting their identities
their examination greater than 24 hours before their scheduled or falsifying information to obtain admission to the Test Center.
appointment may request a transfer. This transfer will allow the
At the testing carrel, you will be prompted on-screen to enter
candidates to forward their application fee to the next testing
your unique identification number. Your photograph, taken
window only. Extensions of transfers will not be permitted.
before beginning the examination, will remain on-screen
1. Complete the Transfer of Application Request form throughout your examination session. This photograph will also
print on your score report.
2. Submit the Transfer of Application request form via email to
[email protected]. You will receive an email
with registration approval and instructions on next steps
ON THE DAY OF YOUR
EXAMINATION
The request must be received no later than 30 days following
the last day of the original testing window. (LIVE REMOTE PROCTORING)
Before your live remote proctoring exam:
Telephone calls are not accepted as transfer requests. However,
a phone call must be made to PSI (833-256-1422) to cancel the • Failure to pass the system/compatibility check results in
scheduled appointment. The call to cancel must be made greater the forfeiture of your exam
than 24 business hours prior to the scheduled appointment. • Complete a system check prior to your scheduled exam
Transfer requests made after the time frame outlined on page 3 • Log-in from the comfort of your home, office, or testing
will not be honored. environment at your assigned exam time
• Camera capable to complete a 360-degree room scan of
REFUNDS your testing environment and work area
Due to the nature of computer-based testing and the ability to • Show your government issued ID (military ID is not
reschedule your appointment within the testing window, no accepted for LRP)
refund requests will be honored. Candidate substitutions are If you’re using a work computer, you must have administrative
not permitted. rights for the secure download before the exam and you must
be able to disable the firewall for remote access.
ON THE DAY OF YOUR
EXAMINATION (TEST CENTER) SECURITY
PSI administration and security standards are designed to
On the day of your examination appointment, report to the Test ensure all candidates are provided the same opportunity
Center 15 minutes before your scheduled testing time. Once to demonstrate their abilities. The Test Center and LRP are
you enter the Test Center, look for the signs indicating PSI Test continuously monitored by audio and video surveillance
Center check-in. equipment for security purposes.
To gain admission to the Test Center, you must present two The following security procedures apply during the examination:
forms of identification. The primary form must match the
name on your eligibility email, be government issued, current • Examinations are proprietary. No cameras, notes, tape
recorders, pagers or cellular phones are allowed in the
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testing room. Possession of a cellular phone or other • You may request disposable ear plugs from the test center
electronic devices is strictly prohibited and will result in staff, if need. You may not bring your own ear plugs or ear
dismissal from the examination. buds to the test center.
• No calculators are allowed.
• No guests, visitors or family members are allowed in the
EXAMINATION RESTRICTIONS - LRP
testing room or reception areas. • You may have 1 sheet of paper and 1 pencil. You will be
asked to show the proctor both sides of the paper.
• Effective, April 1, 2024, PSI instituted a security check
designed to strengthen the security measure at its test • You will be asked to tear up the paper in view of the proctor
centers. Beginning in the June 2024 testing window, HPCC when the exam ends.
Test takers will be asked to undergo a metal detection • Electronic devices are not allowed in the testing area
wanding inspection as part of the security check. • No questions concerning the content of the examination
may be asked during the examination.
PERSONAL BELONGINGS • Eating, drinking or smoking will not be permitted during
the exam
No personal items, valuables, or weapons should be brought
to the Test Center. Only wallets and keys are permitted. Coats • No one is allowed in the testing area while the exam is in
must be left outside the testing room. You will be provided progress.
a soft locker to store your wallet and/or keys with you in the
testing room. You will not have access to these items until after MISCONDUCT
the examination is completed. Please note the following items If you engage in any of the following conduct during the
will not be allowed in the testing room except securely locked examination you may be dismissed, your scores will not be
in the soft locker. reported and examination fees will not be refunded. Examples
• watches of misconduct are when you:
• hats • create a disturbance, are abusive, or otherwise
• wallets uncooperative;
• keys • display and/or use electronic communications equipment
such as pagers, cellular phones;
Once you have placed everything into the soft locker, you will
be asked to pull out your pockets to ensure they are empty. If all • talk or participate in conversation with other examination
personal items will not fit in the soft locker you will not be able candidates;
to test. The site will not store any personal belongings. • give or receive help or are suspected of doing so;
If any personal items are observed in the testing room after • leave the Test Center during the administration;
the examination is started, you will be dismissed and the • attempt to record examination questions or make notes;
administration will be forfeited.
• attempt to take the examination for someone else;
• are observed with personal belongings; or
EXAMINATION RESTRICTIONS
• Pencils will be provided during check-in. • are observed with notes, books or other aids without it
being noted on the roster.
• You will be provided with one piece of scratch paper at a
time to use during the examination, unless noted on the
sign-in roster for a particular candidate. You must return the COPYRIGHTED EXAMINATION
scratch paper to the supervisor at the completion of testing, QUESTIONS
or you will not receive your score report. All examination questions are the copyrighted property of HPCC.
• No documents or notes of any kind may be removed from It is forbidden under federal copyright law to copy, reproduce,
the Test Center. record, distribute or display these examination questions by any
• No questions concerning the content of the examination means, in whole or in part. Doing so may subject you to severe
may be asked during the examination. civil and criminal penalties.
• Eating, drinking or smoking will not be permitted in the Test
Center. PRACTICE EXAMINATION
• You may take a break whenever you wish, but you will not Prior to attempting the timed examination, you will be given
be allowed additional time to make up for time lost during the opportunity to practice taking an examination on the com-
breaks. puter. The time you use for this practice examination is NOT
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counted as part of your examination time. When you are com- increasingly more difficult based on answers to previous
fortable with the computer testing process, you may quit the questions. Answer selections may be changed as many times as
practice session and begin the timed examination. necessary during the allotted time.
TIMED EXAMINATION A question may be left unanswered for return later in the
examination session. Questions may also be bookmarked for
Following the practice examination, you will begin the timed later review by clicking in the blank square to the right of the Time
examination. Before beginning, instructions for taking the button. Click on the double arrows (>>) to advance to the next
examination are provided on-screen. The following is a sample unanswered or bookmarked question on the examination. To
of what the computer screen will look like when you are identify all unanswered and bookmarked questions, repeatedly
attempting the examination. click on the double arrows (>>). When the examination is
completed, the number of questions answered is reported. If not
all questions have been answered and there is time remaining,
return to the examination and answer those questions. Be sure
to answer each question before ending the examination. There
is no penalty for guessing.
CANDIDATE COMMENTS
You may provide comments for any examination question
during the computerized examination by clicking on the
Comment button to the left of the Time button. This opens
a dialogue box to enter comments. Because of test security
considerations, you will not receive individual replies about the
content of examination questions, nor will you be permitted to
review examination questions after completing the examination.
At conclusion of the examination, you will also be asked to
complete a short evaluation and a survey about the examination
administration conditions
The computer monitors the time you spend on the examination. INCLEMENT WEATHER, EMERGENCY,
The examination will terminate if you exceed the time limit. OR TECHNICAL PROBLEMS
You may click on the Time button in the lower right portion of
In the event of inclement weather or unforeseen emergencies
the screen to monitor your time. A digital clock indicates the
on the day of an examination, the HPCC and PSI will determine
time remaining for you to complete the examination. The time
whether circumstances warrant the cancellation, and subsequent
feature may also be turned off during the examination. rescheduling, of an examination. The examination will usually
Only one examination question is presented at a time. The not be rescheduled if the Test Center personnel are able to open
question number appears in the lower right portion of the the Test Center.
screen. The entire examination question appears on-screen You may visit the www.psionline.com/openings website prior to
(i.e., stem and four options labeled – A, B, C and D). Indicate the examination to determine if PSI has been advised that any
your choice by either entering the letter of the option you Test Centers are closed. Every attempt is made to administer the
think is correct (A, B, C or D) or clicking on the option using examination as scheduled; however, should an examination be
the mouse. To change your answer, enter a different option by canceled at a Test Center, all scheduled candidates will receive
entering in the letter in the response box or by clicking on the notification following the examination regarding rescheduling
option using the mouse. You may change your answer as many or reapplication procedures.
times as you wish during the examination time limit.
If power to a Test Center is temporarily interrupted during
To move to the next question, click on the forward arrow (>) in an administration, your examination will be restarted. The
the lower right portion of the screen. This action will move you responses provided up to the point of interruption will be intact,
forward through the examination question by question. If you but for security reasons the questions will be scrambled.
wish to review any question or questions, click the backward
arrow (<) or use the left arrow key to move backward through If you experience issues during an LRP exam, contact PSI
the examination. technical/customer support 844-267-1017. PSI may ask to access
your computer remotely to help resolve technical problems.
The computer-based test (CBT) is set up in a linear format. In a
linear format the candidate answers a predetermined number
of questions. The examination questions do not become
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REPORT OF RESULTS major categories on the content outline. Content categorical

information is provided to assist candidates in identifying areas
After completing the examination, you are asked to complete a
of relative strength and weakness; however, passing or failing
short survey and an evaluation of your examination experience.
the examination is based only on the candidate’s total scaled
Then, you are instructed to report to the examination proctor to
score.
receive your score report. Scores are only reported in printed
form at the testing facility or emailed.
LRP candidates will receive an on-screen “pass” or “fail” at the
DUPLICATE SCORE REPORT
end of the exam. A detailed score report will be emailed to LRP For exams completed prior to March 2024, you may purchase
candidates within 24 hours. If you do not receive your score additional copies of your score report at a cost of $25 per
report within 24 hours, you may access it by clicking https:// copy. Requests must be submitted to PSI, in writing, within 12
test-takers.psiexams.com/hpcc/auth/login and logging into months after the examination. The request must include your
your PSI account. Once logged in, click on the “Manage” tab, name, unique identification number, mailing address, telephone
and then “Check for Score Report”. You can also contact PSI at number, date of examination and examination taken. Submit
833.256.1422 and request your score report to be emailed to this information with the required fee payable to PSI Services
you. Inc. Duplicate score reports will be mailed within approximately
five business days after receipt of the request and fee.
Your score report will indicate a “pass” or “fail.” Additional
detail is provided as the percent correct in each major content
category. Your overall test score is reported as a scaled score, CONFIDENTIALITY
which is statistically derived from the raw score. Your total score Individual examination scores are released ONLY to the individual
determines whether you pass or fail; it is reported as a scaled candidate. Testing results will not be given over the phone or via
score ranging between 200 and 800. facsimile.
The methodology used to set the minimum passing score for
each examination is the Angoff method, applied during the
RECOGNITION OF CERTIFICATION
performance of a Passing Point Study by a panel of content Eligible candidates who pass an HPCC certification examination
experts. The experts evaluated each question on the respective are eligible to use the respective registered designation after
examination to determine how many correct answers are their names.
necessary to demonstrate the knowledge and skills required for • Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse
the designation. The candidate’s ability to pass the examination Examination: ACHPN®
depends on the knowledge and skill displayed during the • Advanced Palliative Hospice Social Worker Certified
examination, not on the performance of other candidates. Examination: APHSW-C
The minimum scaled score needed to pass the examinations has • Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse
been set at 500 scaled score units. The reason for reporting scaled Examination: CHPLN®
scores is that different forms (or versions) of the examinations • Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse Examination:
may vary in difficulty. As new forms of the examinations are CHPN®
introduced each year, a certain number of questions in each • Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant
content area are replaced. These changes may cause one form Examination: CHPNA®
of the examination to be slightly easier or harder than another
form. To adjust for these differences in difficulty, a procedure • Certified Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse
called “equating” is used. The goal of equating is to ensure Examination: CHPPN®
fairness to all candidates. Each certification expires after a period of four years unless
it is renewed by the individual (see “Renewal of Certification”
In the equating process, the minimum raw score (number of section). A registry of certified hospice and palliative certificants
correctly answered questions) required to equal the scaled will be maintained by the HPCC and may be used for: 1) employer,
passing score of 500 is statistically adjusted (or equated). For accrediting body or public verification of an individual’s
instance, if an examination is determined to be more difficult credential; 2) publication; 3) special mailings or other activities.
than the previous form of the examination, then the minimum
raw passing score required to pass will be slightly lower than the RENEWAL OF CERTIFICATION
original raw passing score. If the examination is easier than the Attaining certification is an indication of a well-defined body of
previous form of the examination, then the minimum raw score knowledge. Renewal of the certification is required every four
will be higher. Equating helps to assure that the scaled passing years to maintain certified status. Initial certification or renewal
score of 500 represents the same level of competence no matter of certification is valid for four years.
which form of an examination the candidate takes. It is the certificant’s responsibility to apply for renewal by the
In addition to the candidate’s total scaled score and scaled required application deadline, posted at advancingexpertcare.
score required to pass, percent correct are reported for the org/certification. HPCC attempts to provide certificants with
12/23
renewal notices, but failure to receive a notice does not relieve GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINARY
the certificant from the responsibility to apply for renewal by the
application deadline. ACTION
The following conditions or behaviors by applicants or certificants
Certificants who do not renew before the expiration date of constitute grounds for disciplinary action by the HPCC:
their credential will not be able to use the credential after that 1. Ineligibility for certification, regardless of when the
date. ineligibility is discovered.
Please refer to Section 2 of the handbook for specific informa- 2. Any violation of an HPCC rule or procedure, as may be revised
tion regarding renewal of certification. from time to time, and any failure to provide information
required or requested by HPCC, or to update (within thirty
days) information previously provided to HPCC, including
ETHICAL CODE but not limited to, any failure to report to HPCC in a timely
HPCC has a responsibility to ensure the integrity of all processes manner an action, complaint, or charge that relates to rules
and products of its certification programs to the public, the pro- 6-8 of these grounds for disciplinary action.
fessionals, the employers and its certificants. Therefore, HPCC 3. Unauthorized possession of, use of, distribution of, or access to:
considers the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA)
a. HPCC examinations
Code of Ethics as the essential ethical framework for honoring
b. Certificates
human dignity and professional accountability for conduct.
HPCC upholds the high standards for credentialing agencies c. Logo of HPCC
established by two national accreditation organizations, the d. Abbreviations related thereto
Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC) e. Any other HPCC documents and materials, including but
and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). not limited to, misrepresentation of self, professional
practice or HPCC certification status, prior to or following
the grant of certification by HPCC, if any.
MISUSE OF CERTIFICATION
4. Any examination irregularity, including but not limited to,
CREDENTIALS copying answers, permitting another to copy answers, dis-
Please be advised that once certified, the designated credential rupting the conduct of an examination, falsifying informa-
may only be used by the certified individual during the four-year tion or identification, education or credentials, providing
time period designated on the certificate. Failure to successfully and/or receiving unauthorized advice about examination
recertify requires the individual to stop use of the credential content before, during, or following the examination. [Note:
immediately after the credential has expired. Any other use, or the HPCC may refuse to release an examination score pend-
use of the HPCC Trademark without permission from the HPCC ing resolution of an examination irregularity.]
Board of Directors, is fraudulent. 5. Obtaining or attempting to obtain certification or renewal of
certification for oneself or another by a false or misleading
HPCC will thoroughly investigate all reports of an individual
statement or failure to make a required statement, or fraud
or corporation fraudulently using an HPCC credential and/
or deceit in any communication to HPCC.
or any other HPCC trademarks. If proof is obtained that an
unauthorized individual or corporation has used the credential 6. Gross or repeated negligence, incompetence or malpractice
or trademark, HPCC will notify the appropriate individual with in professional work, including, but not limited to, habitual
documented proof and state that HPCC has no record of the use of alcohol or any drug or any substance, or any physical
individual’s or corporation’s authorization to use the credential or mental condition that currently impairs competent
or trademark. Immediate remediation will be requested of the professional performance or poses a substantial risk to
appropriate individual. If corrective actions are not completed patient health and safety.
and fraudulent use continues after 30 days, a letter will be sent 7. Limitation, sanction, revocation or suspension by a health
by the Director of Credentialing to the appropriate individual’s care organization, professional organization, or other private
employer. Continued fraudulent use after 45 days of first or governmental body, relating to nursing practice, public
notification will be reported to nursing boards and/or published health or safety, or nursing certification.
for professional or consumer notification at the discretion of the
HPCC Board of Directors. 8. Any conviction of a felony or misdemeanor directly relating
to nursing practice and/or public health and safety. An
Failure to meet these standards may result in revocation. individual convicted of a felony directly related to nursing
practice and/or public health and safety shall be ineligible to
HPCC may deny, suspend or revoke any individual’s certification apply for HPCC certification or renewal of certification for a
for due cause through disciplinary action. period of three (3) years from the exhaustion of appeals.
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Any disciplinary complaint must be written in a letter to the RE-EXAMINATION

HPCC President, c/o Chief Executive Officer, HPCC, 400 Lydia
Unsuccessful candidates may repeat the certification exam
Street, Suite 103, Carnegie, PA 15106.
provided they meet HPCC’s eligibility criteria at the time they
apply for re-examination.
REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATION Candidates who do not pass the HPCC certification examination
Admittance to the examination will be denied or certification may follow these steps to reapply:
will be revoked for any of the following reasons: 1. Submit a new application and test fee to PSI. (See page 2)
1. Falsification of an application or documentation provided 2. Candidates are required to wait until the next testing window
with the application. to retest.
2. Failure to pay the required fee. 3. Unlimited testing is allowed if candidates are unsuccessful.
3. Revocation or expiration of current nursing license.
4. Misrepresentation, misuse or fraudulent use of the HPCC RETEST ASSURED PROGRAM
credentials. Unsuccessful candidates who applied to test may repeat the
5. Unauthorized possession of, use of, distribution of, or access certification exam provided they meet HPCC’s eligibility criteria
to HPCC exams. at the time they applied for re-examination.
6. Any examination irregularity, including but not limited Candidates who do not pass the HPCC certification examination
to, copying answers, permitting another to copy answers, may follow these steps to reapply for the reTEST Assured
disrupting the conduct of an examination, falsifying program:
information or identification, education or credentials, 1. Complete a reTEST Assured Program Registration Form
providing and/or receiving unauthorized advice about exam
content before, during, or following the examination. 2. Submit the reTEST Assured Program Registration form via
7. Gross repeated negligence, incompetence, or malpractice in email to [email protected].
professional work. 3. Receive an email with registration approval and instructions
8. Limitation, sanction, revocation or suspension by a healthcare on next steps.
organization, professional organization, or other private
4. Candidates may retest in one of the next three test windows
or governmental body, relating to nursing practice, public
after an unsuccessful exam attempt.
health or safety, or nursing certification.
9. Any conviction of a felony or misdemeanor directly relating 5. Candidates submit the reTEST Assured registration form for
to nursing practice and/or public health and safety.. the window candidates are going to retest.
HPCC employs its vendor to conduct data forensic on HPCC 6. Candidates can use the reTEST Assured program one time.
examinations. In addition, PSI conducts additional security 7. Candidates who do not pass the Exam after using reTEST
measures including web crawling to secure HPCC examinations. Assured must submit an initial application and fee.
8. Candidates may not apply for reTEST Assured prior to initial
examination.
QUESTIONS AND APPEALS
HPCC provides an opportunity for candidates to question any
aspect of the certification program. HPCC will respond to any
question as quickly as possible, generally within a few days.
Candidates are invited to call 412-787-1057 or send an email
message to [email protected] for any questions. In addition,
HPCC has an appeals policy to provide a review mechanism
for challenging an adverse decision, such as denial of eligibility
for the examination or revocation of certification. It is the
responsibility of the individual to initiate the appeal process
by written request to the HPCC President, c/o Chief Executive
Officer, HPCC, 400 Lydia Street, Suite 103, Carnegie, PA 15106
within 30 calendar days of the circumstance leading to the
appeal.
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SECTION 2: CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION FOR

HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE REGISTERED NURSES
ACCREDITATION OF THE decision-making, meticulous pain and symptom management,
determination and optimization of functional status, and support
CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION of coping patterns.
The HPCC Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN®) exam
has fulfilled the accreditation requirements of the Accreditation
Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC). ABSNC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
grants accreditation through a process of peer review and To be eligible for the CHPN® Examination, an applicant must
determination that a specialty nursing certification organization fulfill the following requirements.
has the essential components and met the high standards 1. Hold a current, unrestricted active registered nurse license
established by ABSNC. More information about accreditation in the United States, its territories or the equivalent in
can be found at advancingexpertcare.org/certification. Canada.
2. Hospice and palliative registered nursing practice of
EXAMINATION 500 hours in the most recent 12 months or 1000 hours
The Certification Examination for Hospice and Palliative Nurses in the most recent 24 months prior to applying for the
consists of 150 multiple choice items, of which 135 have equal examination.
weight for scoring. The examination includes 15 non-scored
“pretest” or “trial” items that are interspersed throughout the
examination. Performance on the pretest questions does not EXAMINATION FEES
affect your examination score. The examination presents each All exam fees remain the same for taking an examination at a
question with four response alternatives (A, B, C, D). One of Test Center or by live remote proctoring.
those represents the best response. You will be permitted three
hours to complete this examination. Candidates achieving a INITIAL CERTIFICATION
passing score on this examination will be awarded the Certified
Application Fee $415.00
Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN®) credential.
HPNA members Fee $285.00*
The HPCC, with the advice and assistance of PSI, prepares
the examinations. Individuals with expertise in hospice and RETEST ASSURED
palliative nursing practice write the questions and review them
Both HPNA members and non-HPNA members $125.00
for relevancy, consistency, accuracy and appropriateness.
DEFINITION OF HOSPICE AND *See “HPNA, NHPCO, SWHPN Membership Benefit” on page 3.
PALLIATIVE CARE A candidate my use reTEST assured to retake the exam in

Hospice and palliative care is the provision of care for the patient one of the next three testing windows if they do not initially
with serious illness and their family with the emphasis on their pass the certification exam Applicant must submit a paper
physical, psychosocial, emotional and spiritual needs. This is application for reTEST Assured during the window the applicant
accomplished in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team is retesting. See RETEST ASSURED PROGRAM on page 9.
in diverse settings including: inpatient, home, or residential
hospice; acute care hospitals or palliative care units; long-term Application fees may be paid by credit card (Master Card, VISA,
care facilities; rehabilitation facilities; home settings; ambulatory AMEX or Discover).
or outpatient palliative care primary care or specialty clinics;
veterans’ facilities; correctional facilities; homeless shelters; and
mental health settings.
Hospice and palliative interdisciplinary team members serve
in a variety of roles including: expert clinicians, educators,
researchers, administrators, consultants, case managers, program
developers/coordinators, and/or policy makers. Moreover,
hospice and palliative care includes holistic assessment of the
patient and family, offering information to allow more informed
12/23
RENEWAL OR REACTIVATION OF to request a receipt. Candidates also may print a receipt from
https://test-takers.psiexams.com/hpcc. After entering your login
CERTIFICATION
information (either create a new user account or log in using
your user name/password), select “manage print confirmation”
RENEWAL to print off the order summary.
The Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse certificant must
submit the Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse Hospice and
Palliative Accrual for Recertification (CHPN® HPAR) application EXAMINATION CONTENT
for renewal of certification as early as one year before the To begin your preparation in an informed and organized manner,
certification expiration date. you should know what to expect from the actual examination in
terms of the content. The content outline will give you a general
The CHPN® HPAR requires renewal of certification by completion impression of the examination and, with closer inspection,
of the situational judgment exercise, by fulfilling practice hour can give you specific study direction by revealing the relative
requirements and by accumulating required points through importance given to each category on the examination.
various professional development activities.
The content of the examination is directly linked to a national
job analysis completed in 2021 that identified the activities
REACTIVATION
performed by hospice and palliative nurses. Only those activities
Reactivation of credentials: Candidates who miss the deadline
that were judged by hospice and palliative nurses to be important
for recertification may reactivate their expired credentials using
to practice for a nurse with two years of practice in hospice and
the HPAR process. Reactivation by testing is not an option and
palliative care are included on the examination content outline.
is not retroactive. Reactivation will be available for three years
Each question on the examination is linked to the examination
after the expiration of the credential. If your credential has been
content outline and task statements.
expired for more than three years, you must retake the exam.
The HPCC registered nurse certification examination requires the
See the HPAR packet for details regarding submission and
ability to apply the nursing process (i.e., assess, plan, intervene
fees for renewal and reactivation. For more information
and evaluate) in helping patients and their families (defined as
contact the National Office at 412-787-1057 or visit the website
including all persons identified by the patient) toward the goal
advancingexpertcare.org/certification for details.
of maintaining optimal functioning and quality of life within the
limits of the disease process. The examination includes questions
RENEWAL/REACTIVATION FEES distributed across five domains of practice as shown in the exam
HPAR application fees may be reduced if renewal is completed 2 content outline that follows.
months prior to your expiration date.
RENEWAL FEE (Early Bird) DETAILED CONTENT OUTLINE
(Renewal through CHPN® HPAR only) INFORMATION
Non-member $380.00 The detailed content outline and task statements provide
HPNA members $240.00* information that MAY be tested. Each and every task listed is not
tested on any one form of the examination. The questions that
RENEWAL FEE (Standard) are used for the examination serve as a representative sample of
Non-Member $480.00 critical knowledge and skills identified in the job analysis.
HPNA members $340.00*
Reactivation FEE DRUG NAMES

Non-Member Fee $630.00 Generic drug names are used throughout the examination
HPNA members $490.00* except in individual situations as determined by the examination
*See “HPNA, NHPCO, SWHPN Membership Benefit” on page 3. development committee.
Application fees may be paid by credit card (Master Card, VISA,

AMEX or Discover). Repayment of an insufficient funds check or
declined credit card must be made with a cashier’s or certified
check or money order.
RECEIPTS
Receipts for fee payments are available from PSI. Contact PSI
at 833-256-1422 or email to: [email protected]
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DETAILED CONTENT OUTLINE
1. Patient Care – Assessment and Planning______ 25 questions 4. Support, Education, and Advocacy__________ 28 questions
A. Goals of care and shared decision making A. Advance care planning (e.g., advance directives, life
B. Interdisciplinary care planning and ongoing evaluation sustaining therapies)
C. Life-limiting disease progression, complications, and B. Hospice and palliative care benefits under Medicare,
treatment Medicaid, and private insurance
D. Indicators of imminent death C. Patient safety: environmental, physical, socioemotional
D. Communication: techniques, barriers, and cultural humility
2. Patient Care – Pain Management____________ 26 questions
E. Psychosocial, spiritual, and cultural needs
A. Etiology of pain, types of pain, and pain syndromes
F. Medication management and controlled substances
B. Verbal and nonverbal indicators of pain and pain scales
G. Caregiver/Family self-care activities
C. Factors that may influence the patient’s experience of pain
H. End-stage disease at terminal phase
(e.g., fear, depression, cultural, and spiritual issues)
I. Grief and loss support / bereavement services
D. Medications appropriate to severity and specific type of
pain (opioid, non-opioid, adjuvant) J. Support at time of death and post-mortem care
E. Titration of medication to determine baseline and K. Ethical issues related to end of life
breakthrough doses 5. Practice Issues____________________________ 28 questions
F. Dosage equivalents when changing analgesics or route of A. Hospice and palliative care compliance under Medicare/
administration Medicaid
G. Non-pharmacologic interventions (e.g., ice, positioning, B. National hospice and palliative care standards
palliative surgery, palliative radiation, psychological C. National practice guidelines and standards (e.g., National
therapy) Consensus Project)
H. Complementary and alternative therapies (e.g., Reiki, D. Legal regulations (e.g., OSHA, CMS, HIPAA)
hypnosis, acupressure, massage, pet therapy, music E. Professional boundaries
therapy)
F. Strategies for self-care and stress management
3. Patient Care – Symptom Management_______ 28 questions G. Trends in legislation, policy, health care delivery, and
A. Neurological reimbursement as they impact hospice and palliative care
B. Cardiovascular
C. Respiratory
D. Gastrointestinal
E. Genitourinary
F. Musculoskeletal
G. Skin and mucous membrane
H. Nutritional and metabolic
I. Immune/Lymphatic/Hematologic system
J. Psychosocial, emotional, and spiritual
12/23
TASK STATEMENTS
1. Patient Care – Assessment and Planning 5. Practice Issues
A. Identify patient/caregiver goals and expected outcomes A. Evaluate eligibility for admission and hospice recertification
B. Develop a plan of care to achieve goals and expected B. Incorporate standards, guidelines, and legal regulations into
outcomes practice
C. Coordinate patient care with other health care providers C. Identify and address ethical concerns
through the continuum of care D. Participate in continuous quality assurance and
D. Coordinate transfer to a different level of care or different performance improvement activities
care setting E. Maintain professional boundaries
E. Identify specific patterns of progression, complications, and F. Incorporate strategies for self-care and stress management
treatment for life-limiting conditions into practice
F. Identify and respond to indicators of imminent death G. Contribute to professional development of peers,
G. Evaluate progress toward outcomes and update goals colleagues, students, and others as preceptor, educator, or
H. Monitor need for changes in levels of care) mentor
2. Patient Care – Pain Management
A. Perform comprehensive assessment of pain
B. Identify and administer pharmacologic interventions
C. Identify and implement non-pharmacologic and
complementary interventions
D. Assess for and respond to complications (e.g., side effects,
interactions) and efficacy
3. Patient Care – Symptom Management
A. Provide evidence-based palliative management of signs and
symptoms associated with life-limiting conditions
B. Provide evidence-based palliative management for
psychosocial, emotional, and spiritual needs
4. Support, Education, and Advocacy
A. Assess and respond to psychosocial, spiritual, and cultural
needs
B. Facilitate effective communication among patient, family,
and caregivers
C. Encourage patient/caregiver participation in
interdisciplinary team/group discussions
D. Counsel or provide emotional support regarding grief and
loss
E. Facilitate and coordinate support throughout the
continuum of care
F. Teach end-stage disease progression
G. Teach pain and symptom management
H. Train caregiver to provide patient care
I. Monitor, support, and validate primary caregiver confidence
and ability to provide care
J. Promote caregiver self-care activities
K. Provide education about access and use of services,
medications, supplies, and durable medical equipment
(DME)
L. Assess and respond to environmental and safety risks
M. Facilitate self-determined life closure
12/23
SAMPLE QUESTIONS 6. The home health aide is responsible for

A. cooking and cleaning in the house.
1. In which of the following types of family systems would the B. personal care of the family.
most difficult adjustments to the death of a family member C. arranging ambulance transfer.
be expected? D. participation in the plan of care.
A. open 7. In a terminally ill patient, dysphagia is most likely to
B. enmeshed
indicate
C. disengaged
D. differentiated A. starvation.
B. impending death.
2. A pain assessment scale is used to C. poor pain control.
D. temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
A. measure pain intensity.
B. evaluate character of pain. 8. For a hospice patient, palliative radiation therapy is
C. graph compliance with medication regimen. most likely to be used to treat
D. measure cultural differences in perceiving pain.
A. hypercalcemia.
3. If the husband of a patient is concerned that his wife will B. bowel obstruction.
C. spinal cord compression.
become addicted because she requires an increased
D. malignant cardiac tamponade.
dosage of morphine, the hospice nurse should explain that
A. the increased morphine indicates death is approaching. 9. If a patient with a history of breast cancer experiences
B. the doctor should be contacted to discuss a medication pain between the shoulder blades, it is most likely to
change. indicate metastases to the
C. addiction is unavoidable, but not harmful for the A. bone.
terminal patient. B. liver.
D. increased dosage is related to tolerance or disease C. brain.
progression not addiction. D. pancreas.
4. The grief process can best be described as 10. A patient has been taking sustained-release morphine
A. an abnormal condition requiring extensive counseling. 30 mg every 12 hours for the past 3 weeks with partial relief
B. a time-limiting process occurring through specific from pleuritic pain. The physician discontinued
stages. the morphine and starts her on a nonsteroidal
C. an internal process unique to each person with variable anti-inflammatory. Twenty-four hours later the patient
time frames. has stomach cramps, diaphoresis, and nausea. Which
D. a universal experience involving shock, confusion, and of the following is the most likely explanation?
reinvesting in life. A. flu symptoms
B. bowel obstruction
5. An 82-year-old patient with end-stage chronic obstructive C. morphine withdrawal
pulmonary disease (COPD) has decided against D. adverse reaction to the nonsteroidal
aggressive treatment for any exacerbation. The patient anti-inflammatory
requests that she take fewer pills and asks the nurse to
review her medication profile. The nurse’s recommendation
should be which of the following? ANSWER KEY
A. “You can stop taking your diuretic now that you are Content
bed bound.” Question
________ Answer
_______ Area
_______
B. “You should increase your vitamins with minerals to
keep your strength up.” 1. B 4E
2. A 2A
C. “You should continue your steroids and theophylline as
3. D 4F
long as you can swallow.”
4. C 4E
D. “You can discontinue all your medications because
5. C 1A
they are no longer necessary.”
6. D 5A
7. B 3D
8. C 2G
9. A 2A
10. C 4F
12/23
SUGGESTED REFERENCES
The HPCC has prepared a list of references that may be helpful
in preparing for the Certification Examination for Hospice
and Palliative Registered Nurses. The reference lists contain
textbooks that include information of significance to hospice
and palliative nursing practice. Inclusion of certain textbooks
on the lists does not constitute an endorsement by the HPCC
of specific professional literature which, if used, will guarantee
candidates successful passing of the certification examination.
Test candidates are not required to purchase or review these
resources. HPCC does not endorse specific resources, and does
not receive compensation from the sale or use of any resources.
To prepare for the examination, review the Detailed Content
Outline and develop a study plan based on your individual
knowledge strengths and weaknesses. It is good practice to use a
current, general resource for overall review, and supplement with
resources on specific topics to address your individual needs.
Primary Reference List

(Used for CHPN exam item validation)
CMS Medicare Hospice Center, https://www.cms.gov/Center/
Provider-Type/Hospice-Center
Coyne, PJ., Bobb, B. and Plakovic, K. (Eds.) (2017). Conversations
in Palliative Care: Questions and Answers with the Experts.
Pittsburgh, PA: Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association.
Ferrell, BR., and Paice, J. (Eds.) (2019). Oxford Textbook of Palliative
Nursing (5th Ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Martin, B., and Stokes, T. (Eds.) (2022). Core Curriculum for the
Hospice and Palliative RN (5th Ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Hospice and
Palliative Nurses Association.
Matzo, M., and Sherman, DW. (Eds.) (2019). Palliative Care Nursing:
Quality Care to the End of Life (5th Ed.). New York, NY: Springer
Publishing Company. LLC.
Whitehead, P., and Dahlin, CM. (Eds.) (2019). Compendium of Nursing
Care for Common Serious Illnesses (3rd Ed.). Pittsburgh, PA:
Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association.
Secondary Reference List

Berger, A., and O’Neill, JF. (2022). Principles & Practice of Palliative
Care and Supportive Oncology (5th Ed.). Waltham, MA: Wolters
Kluwer Health.
Dahlin, CM. (Ed.) (2021). Palliative Nursing: Scope and Standards of
Practice (6th Ed.). Pittsburgh, PA: Hospice and Palliative Nurses
Association.
Yarbro, CH., Wujcik, D, and Gobel, BH. (2018). Cancer Nursing:
Principles and Practice (8th Ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and
Bartlett Learning.
12/23
HPCC Examination, page 17
2024 HPCC NURSE RETEST ASSURED PROGRAM REGISTRATION

Directions: Unsuccessful candidates may use this form to register for the reTEST Assured Program, provided they meet HPCC’s eligibility criteria
at the time of submission.
Complete the requested information and email it to be RECEIVED by PSI by the online application deadline. Registrations received after the
deadline will be returned unprocessed. MAILED OR FAXED REGISTRATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED. Read the Candidate Handbook before
completing, refer to reTEST Assured Program section, page 9 for details. Email the completed form to [email protected].
Once received, candidates will be notified via email informing them the registration has been approved with instructions on how
to pay the $125 reTEST fee and schedule the exam.
1. Personal Information (please print using blue or black ink) ALL REQUIRED FIELDS
Last Name:
First Name: Middle Initial:
Former Name (if applicable):
Date of Birth (xx/xx/xxxx):
Applicant Email Address:
Home Phone: Cell Phone:
2. I am a:
 reTEST Assured program candidate who must retest in one of the next three windows and submit a new completed application to PSI.
Candidates can use the reTEST Assured program one-time after non-passing score. Do not submit the reTEST Assured registration form until
you are ready to test..
 reTEST Assured program candidate who already submitted and has been approved for Special ExaminationAccommodations. I under-
stand once eligible I will ONLY be able to schedule the exam by contacting PSI exam accommodations at 800-367-1565 ext. 6750.
3. Examination Fee: $125 fee

a. Payment Information will be entered by you on your online account prior to scheduling the exam.
Audits of HPCC Applications – To ensure the integrity of eligibility requirements, HPCC will audit a percentage of randomly selected
applications each year. Candidates whose applications are selected for audit will be notified and required to provide documentation of
their professional license and verification of practice hours. The audit letter from PSI will indicate the date the documentation must be
received. You will be notified by PSI when the audit is approved and you are eligible to schedule the exam.
03/24
12/23 Page
Page 11 of 3
Attestation and Signature (Check each box to attest to your agreement to the statements below.)
 I certify that I have read all portions of the Candidate Handbook and application, and I agree to all terms of the HPCC processing
agreement. I certify that the information I have submitted in this application and the documents I have enclosed are complete and correct
to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that, if the information I have submitted is found to be incomplete or inaccurate,
my application may be rejected or my examination results may be delayed or voided, not released or invalidated by HPCC.
Non-disclosure of Exam Content

 Submission of this application indicates my agreement to keep the contents of the exam confidential and not disclose or discuss specific
exam content with anyone except HPCC. Per HPCC policy, sharing of exam content is cause for revocation of certification. I certify that I
have read that all examination questions are the copyrighted property of HPCC and it is forbidden under federal copyright law to copy,
reproduce, record, distribute, or display the examination questions by any means, in whole or in part. Doing so may subject me to severe
civil and criminal penalties.
Ethics
 I understand the importance of ethical standards and agree to act in a manner congruent with the HPNA Code of Ethics for Nurses.
Attestation and Signature (Your signature in ink attests to your agreement to the above statements.)
Name (Please Print) Signature Date
Audits of HPCC Applications – To ensure the integrity of eligibility requirements, HPCC will audit a percentage of randomly selected
applications each year. Candidates whose applications are selected for audit will be notified and required to provide documentation of their
professional license and verification of practice hours.
Please check below to confirm you currently meet the eligibility requirements for the examination you are registering for:
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Examination

 I am currently licensed as an APRN in the United States, its territories or the equivalent in Canada.
 Nurse Practitioner  Clinical Nurse Specialist
Mail a copy of your APRN license to: HPCC Certification Examination APRN License, PSI, 18000 W. 105th St., Olathe, KS 66061-7543
or email to [email protected].
 Licensure: State_________ APRN License Number __________________ APRN License Expiration__________________
 I have worked as an advanced practice registered nurse in hospice and palliative care for at least 500 hours in the most
recent 12 months or 1000 hours in the most recent 24 months prior to submission of this application.
 Completion of an accredited graduate, postgraduate, or doctoral Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
educational program from a U.S. school or Canadian province NP or CNS educational programs approved by the Canadian
Council of Registered Nurse Regulators (CCRNR).
 Completion of three separate comprehensive graduate-level courses in advanced pathophysiology, advanced health
assessment, and advanced pharmacology.
Registered Nurse Examination

 I am currently licensed as a registered nurse in the United States, its territories or the equivalent in Canada.
 Licensure: State_________ RN License Number_____________________ RN License Expiration ____________________
 I have worked as a registered nurse in hospice and palliative care for at least 500 hours in the most recent 12 months or 1000
hours in the most recent 24 months prior to submission of this application.
Pediatric Registered Nurse Examination

 I am currently licensed as a registered nurse in the United States, its territories or the equivalent in Canada.
 Licensure: State_________ RN License Number_____________________ RN License Expiration ____________________
 I have worked as a pediatric registered nurse in hospice and palliative care for at least 500 hours in the most recent
12 months or 1000 hours in the most recent 24 months prior to submission of this application.
03/24
12/23 Page
Page2 of 3 3
2 of
Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Examination

 I am currently licensed as a licensed practical/vocational nurse in the United States or its territories.
 Licensure: State_________ LPN/LVN License Number ________________ LPN/LVN License Expiration _______________
 I have worked as a licensed practical/vocational nurse under the supervision of a registered nurse in hospice and palliative care
for at least 500 hours in the most recent 12 months or 1000 hours in the most recent 24 months prior to submission
of this application.
Nursing Assistant Examination

 I have worked as a nursing assistant under the supervision of a registered nurse in hospice and palliative care for at least 500
hours in the most recent 12 months or 1000 hours in the most recent 24 months prior to submission of this application.
Within the last five (5) years:

Yes No
  Have you ever been sued by a patient?

  Have you ever been found to have committed negligence or malpractice in your professional work?
  Have you ever had a complaint filed against you before a governmental regulatory board or professional organization?
  Have you ever been subject to discipline, certificate or license revocation, or other sanction by a governmental regulatory
board or professional organization?
  Have you ever been the subject of an investigation by law enforcement?
  Have you ever been convicted of, pled guilty to, or pled nolo contendere to a felony or misdemeanor, or are any such
charges pending against you?
I further affirm that no licensing authority has taken any disciplinary action in relation to my license to practice in the aforementioned or any
other state, and that my license to practice has not been suspended or revoked by any state or jurisdiction.
I understand that no refunds will be issued once payment is processed.
Name (Please Print) Signature Date
Nursing Practice Verification: Following is the contact information for my clinical supervisor or a professional colleague (RN or physician)
who can verify that I have met the clinical hour eligibility requirements:
Verifier’s Name (Last) (First) Facility Name
Verifier’s Phone Number Verifier’s Email Address
You may not list yourself or a relative as your verifier.
HPCC reserves the right to contact you for further information as deemed necessary.
03/24
12/23 Page
Page3 of 33
3 of
12/23
TRANSFER OF APPLICATION
Directions: Use this form, to transfer to the next testing window (one-time transfer), if for any reason, you were unable to sit for the
examination in the window you applied AND you canceled any scheduled examination appointments greater than 24 hours before
the scheduled appointment.
* The transfer fee of $100 will be honored for applicants who have paid the initial exam fee in the testing window from which they
are transferring.
Complete all requested information. This form must be emailed to [email protected] and received by PSI no later
than thirty (30) days following the last day of the original testing window. Note: Refer to Transfers section, page 4, for the details.
Once received, candidates will be notified via email informing them the registration has been approved with instructions on
how to pay the $100 transfer fee and schedule the exam in the next testing window.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Last Name First Name MI
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Home Street Address or PO Box
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City State Zip Code
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Home Phone Work Phone Cell Phone
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Email Address (required)
Payment Information will be entered by you on your online account prior to scheduling the exam
Please email the completed request to [email protected]
12/23
12/23
REQUEST FOR SPECIAL

EXAMINATION ACCOMMODATIONS
If you have a disability covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, please complete this form and provide the Documentation
of Disability-Related Needs on the next page at least 45 days prior to your requested examination date. The information you
provide and any documentation regarding your disability and your need for accommodation in testing will be treated with strict
confidentiality.
Candidate Information
Candidate ID # ______________________ Requested Test Center or LRP:_________________________________
Name (Last, First, Middle Initial, Former Name)
Mailing Address
City State Zip Code
Daytime Telephone Number Email Address
Special Accommodations
I request special accommodations for the examination below:
 Advanced Practice Registered Nurse  Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse
 Registered Nurse  Nursing Assistant
 Pediatric Registered Nurse  Social Worker
Please provide (check all that apply):

______ Reader
______ Extended testing time (time and a half)
______ Reduced distraction environment
______ Please specify below if other special accommodations are needed.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Comments:__________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PLEASE READ AND SIGN:

I give my permission for my diagnosing professional to discuss with PSI staff my records and history as they relate to the requested
accommodation.
Signature:________________________________________________________________ Date:______________________________
Return this form with your examination application and fee to:
PSI, 18000 W. 105th St., Olathe, KS 66061-7543
or submit your accommodations request online at
https://psi-cdexp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=360000150872.
If you have questions, call Candidate Services at 800-367-1565 ext. 6750.

12/23
DOCUMENTATION OF
DISABILITY-RELATED NEEDS
Please have this section completed by an appropriate professional who is qualified to diagnose the condition (education
professional, physician, psychologist, psychiatrist) to ensure that our testing administrator, PSI, is able to provide the required
accommodations.
Professional Documentation
I have known __________________________________________________ since _____ /_____ /_____ in my capacity as a
Candidate Name Date
__________________________________________________________.
My Professional Title
The candidate discussed with me the nature of the test to be administered. It is my opinion that, because of this candidate’s
disability described below, he/she should be accommodated by providing the special arrangements listed on the Request for
Special Examination Accommodations form.
Description of Disability:_______________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Signed:________________________________________________________ Title:________________________________________
Printed Name:________________________________________________________________________________________________
Address:____________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Telephone Number:________________________________ Email Address:______________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________ License # (if applicable):_______________________________________
Return this form with your examination application and fee to:
PSI, 18000 W. 105th St., Olathe, KS 66061-7543
or submit this form with your online request at
https://psi-cdexp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=360000150872.
If you have questions, call Candidate Services at 800-367-1565 ext. 6750.
12/23
12/23

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

The Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center

HPCC MISSION STATEMENT

This page is intentionally left blank.

SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION

EXAMINATION ADMINISTRATION will be required to complete a transfer application and pay a

EXAMINATION APPOINTMENT Documentation of Disability-Related Needs form (which must

AUDITS Examples of valid primary forms of identification are:

REPORT OF RESULTS major categories on the content outline. Content categorical

Any disciplinary complaint must be written in a letter to the RE-EXAMINATION

This page is intentionally left blank.

SECTION 2: CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION FOR

PALLIATIVE CARE A candidate my use reTEST assured to retake the exam in

Reactivation FEE DRUG NAMES

Application fees may be paid by credit card (Master Card, VISA,

DETAILED CONTENT OUTLINE

SAMPLE QUESTIONS 6. The home health aide is responsible for

Primary Reference List

Secondary Reference List

2024 HPCC NURSE RETEST ASSURED PROGRAM REGISTRATION

First Name: Middle Initial:

Former Name (if applicable):

Date of Birth (xx/xx/xxxx):

Applicant Email Address:

Home Phone: Cell Phone:

3. Examination Fee: $125 fee

Non-disclosure of Exam Content

Name (Please Print) Signature Date

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Examination

Registered Nurse Examination

Pediatric Registered Nurse Examination

Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Examination

Nursing Assistant Examination

Within the last five (5) years:

  Have you ever been sued by a patient?

I understand that no refunds will be issued once payment is processed.

Name (Please Print) Signature Date

Verifier’s Name (Last) (First) Facility Name

Verifier’s Phone Number Verifier’s Email Address

You may not list yourself or a relative as your verifier.

This page is intentionally left blank.

This page is intentionally left blank.

REQUEST FOR SPECIAL

Name (Last, First, Middle Initial, Former Name)

City State Zip Code

Daytime Telephone Number Email Address

Please provide (check all that apply):

PLEASE READ AND SIGN:

If you have questions, call Candidate Services at 800-367-1565 ext. 6750.

Telephone Number:________________________________ Email Address:______________________________________________

Date:____________________________________________ License # (if applicable):_______________________________________

You might also like

Telephone Number: Email Address:______________

Date:______ License # (if applicable):_